The Land (Disney)
Encyclopedia
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
that sits on the western side of "Future World", one of two themed areas of Epcot
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
, a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Lake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney World Resort. It is one of two Florida municipalities controlled by The Walt Disney Company, the other being Bay Lake....
USA. It opened on October 1, 1982 as part of the Phase I features for the grand opening of what was then known as EPCOT Center. "The Land" is a 24 hectare (2.5 million square foot) facility dedicated to human interaction with the land itself. It explores how humans can both use the land for their benefit, and how they can also destroy it. Future Technology in better preserving the land is also explored in the pavilion, along with a focus on the celebration of the land itself.
Attraction history
While The Land pavilion has existed since 1982, it has gone through three significant phases. The pavilion's first incarnation involved a ten year sponsorship under Kraft Foods Inc. from 1982–1992. Kraft played a vital role in co-financing the everyday functions of the attractions, restaurants, and shops inside the pavilion. The pavilion's interior and exterior design featured earth tone colors and exotic plant life.In 1993, plans were made to update and modernize the overall tone of EPCOT Center, including a major refurbishment of The Land pavilion. Kraft withdrew its sponsorship on September 26, 1993, with Nestle
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
taking its place. Co-financed by Nestle and the Walt Disney World Resort, a gradual refurbishment of the pavilion began on September 27, 1993.
The pavilion itself was cosmetically freshened. While some of the original design elements remained, the addition of more vibrant colors and fabrics
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
to the various restaurants and shops gave the pavilion a more modern and refreshed look. The names of certain shops, restaurants, and attractions also changed during this time. The pavilion's main attraction, Listen to the Land, which took guests on connected boats through various exhibits within the pavilion, reopened mostly unchanged as Living with the Land
Living with the Land
Living with the Land is a ride located within The Land pavilion which is part of Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World Resort at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It is a slow-moving boat ride, which is part dark ride and part greenhouse tour...
on December 10, 1993.
The Kitchen Kabaret Revue
Kitchen Kabaret
Kitchen Kabaret was a 13-minute audio-animatronic show at EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World Resort, located in The Land pavilion. Kitchen Kabaret was present on EPCOT's opening day, October 1, 1982....
, another of the pavilion's original attractions featuring an Audio-Animatronics
Audio-Animatronics
Audio-Animatronics is the registered trademark for a form of robotics created by Walt Disney Imagineering for shows and attractions at Disney theme parks, and subsequently expanded on and used by other companies. The robots move and make noise, generally in speech or song...
presentation about nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
, closed on January 3, 1994. It was replaced with new show titled Food Rocks
Food Rocks
Food Rocks was an attraction at Epcot's The Land pavilion presented by Nestlé in the Walt Disney World Resort. It was a musical stage show, with audio-animatronic figures.-Synopsis:...
, which featured some of the elements from the original show with an updated presentation intended to be more modern and appealing to younger audiences. Food Rocks has since closed down to make room for the Land's newest attraction, Soarin'.
Symbiosis
Symbiosis (film)
Symbiosis was a 70 mm film shown from October 1983 to January 1995 in the Harvest Theater at The Land pavilion at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It was directed by Paul Gerber....
, the last of The Land's three original attractions, was closed on January 1, 1995. This attraction, which was a cinematic presentation that discussed both the positive and negative aspects of human relationship with the land, eventually reopened as Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable
Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable
Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable is a 70 mm film shown in the Harvest Theater in The Land Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. It opened on January 21, 1995 replacing Symbiosis...
, a new film featuring characters
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
. Like the Food Rocks show, this new attraction recycled some of the elements of its predecessor, and was intended to be another refreshed and modernized feature of The Land that would better appeal to younger audiences.
In 2003, Nestle renewed its sponsorship of The Land; however, it was under agreement that Nestle would oversee its own refurbishment to both the interior and exterior of the pavilion. Between 2004 and 2005, the pavilion underwent its second major refurbishment. It received a new color scheme featuring a vibrant selection of white, yellow, and green. New foliage was added to complement the existing greenery. The walkways and stroller parking to the pavilion's entrance were redefined and widened. All of the carpeting in the pavilion was replaced, and the main food court
Food court
A food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...
was completely redesigned. The pavilion's signage was updated, incorporating the new color scheme, new typography, and a modernized logotype. The pavilion's original dedication plaque remained unchanged.
The most significant change to The Land during its 2004–2005 refurbishment was the closure and entire demolition of Food Rocks, which initially occurred on January 3, 2004. Taking its place would be Soarin', a major E ticket
E ticket
The phrase E ticket refers to an unusually interesting, thrilling or expensive experience. It derives from the admission ticket system used at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom theme parks before 1982, in which the E ticket admitted the bearer to the newest, most advanced, and/or most popular rides...
attraction that was originally designed and built for Disney's California Adventure
Disney's California Adventure
Disney California Adventure, or simply California Adventure, is a theme park in Anaheim, California, adjacent to Disneyland Park and part of the larger Disneyland Resort. It opened on February 8, 2001 as Disney's California Adventure Park. The park is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and...
. Simulating the experience of hang gliding over various landscapes, Soarin's massive movie screens and ride mechanics required the construction of a large physical addition to the pavilion itself.
The Land officially reopened on May 5, 2005, which coincided with the start of Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth Campaign.
While "The Land" as a pavilion has somewhat changed, its purpose has not, and it remains a positive and serious experience featuring elements from all three of its phases, allowing today's guests to experience all that "The Land" has to offer.
On February 13, 2009, Nestle pulled out of sponsorship, leaving the Land without a sponsor.
On August 2, 2009, "Living with the Land" closes for a vehicle and attraction update until October 2, 2009. This update to the attraction will modify the loading of guests with five rows in the first half of the boat and five rows on the second half, jumping guest capacity from 36 to 40 guest per vehicle. New handicap vehicles that are subject to allow wider wheelchairs and small ECV with a flat loading platform are also a new addition to the ride unlike previous front ramp boats. The loading with these new boats are made for handicap guest to be boarded on the back instead of the front of the vehicle. Only six of these special boats will be introduced with a different count of rows unlike the new ten row boats that will be included.
On July 29, 2011 Disney received a new sponsor for the pavillion. Chiquita known for bananas has agreed to sponsor for The Land Pavillion. Please see: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chiquita-and-walt-disney-world-resort-announce-multi-year-alliance-to-offer-fresh-healthy-chiquita-and-fresh-express-products-to-disney-guests-126408463.html for more details.
Horticulture research
In addition to being an entertainment venue, The Land is also a demonstration, production, and research facility. 43,000 ft² (0.4 hectares) of the pavilion are dedicated to experimental horticulture techniques in hydroponicsHydroponics
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, or coconut husk.Researchers discovered in the 18th...
, irrigation methods, and integrated pest management
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated pest management is an ecological approach to agricultural pest control that integrates pesticides/herbicides into a management system incorporating a range of practices for economic control of a pest...
.
Current attractions and services
- Living with the LandLiving with the LandLiving with the Land is a ride located within The Land pavilion which is part of Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World Resort at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It is a slow-moving boat ride, which is part dark ride and part greenhouse tour...
(December 10, 1993–Present) - Soarin'Soarin' Over CaliforniaSoarin' Over California is a simulator attraction at Disney California Adventure . It debuted with the park on February 8, 2001...
(May 5, 2005–Present) - Circle of Life: An Environmental FableCircle of Life: An Environmental FableCircle of Life: An Environmental Fable is a 70 mm film shown in the Harvest Theater in The Land Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. It opened on January 21, 1995 replacing Symbiosis...
(January 21, 1995–Present) - Behind the Seeds Tour
Current dining
- The Garden Grill - Family restaurant with a farm house atmosphere, rotates and offers a view of the dark ride section of Living with the Land. The food is simple, family fare with costumed characters, such as Mickey MouseMickey MouseMickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
, Chip 'n' Dale, and PlutoPluto (Disney)Pluto, also called Pluto the Pup, is a cartoon character created in 1930 by Walt Disney Productions. He is a light brown , medium-sized, short-haired dog. Unlike Goofy, Pluto is not anthropomorphic beyond some characteristics such as facial expression...
. Please note that lunch here ended September 2008. - Sunshine Seasons - A food courtFood courtA food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...
- Asian Shop - A variety of noodleNoodleThe noodle is a type of food, made from any of a variety of doughs, formed into long thin ribbons, strips, curly-cues, waves, helices, pipes, tubes, strings, or other various shapes, sometimes folded. They are usually cooked in a mixture of boiling water and/or oil. Depending upon the type, noodles...
bowls and stir-fries. - Sandwich Shop - A variety of made to order sandwichesSandwiches"Sandwiches" is a song by American electronic band Detroit Grand Pubahs. It reached number 29 in the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.- Track listing :...
. - Soup/Salad Shop - A variety of soups and salads.
- Wood-Fired Grill Shop - Rotisserie chicken, beefBeefBeef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
and fishFishFish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
. - Bakery - NestleNestléNestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
Toll House cookies, ice creamIce creamIce cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
, among others. - Breakfast - Breakfast here offers pasteries,and combos that include eggs, one choice of bacon,or sausage, and a drink.
- Asian Shop - A variety of noodle
Current shopping
- Soarin' Tour Desk - A desk, located to the left of the entrance to Soarin', where Guests may sign up for the Behind the Seeds Greenhouse Tour, which takes place in the greenhouse section of the Living With The Land attraction. Guests may also purchase Mickey's Mini Gardens, tiny plants produced through tissue culture in nutrient gel and packaged in sterile tubes.
- Green Thumb Emporium - A small merchandise area, located across from the Soarin' Tour Desk. A small assortment of Soarin' T-shirts and pins, along with disposable cameras and Mickey's Mini Gardens are available for purchase. Note that this shop has taken on the name of the former, much larger, shop at The Land which occupied the same approximate area.
Former attractions and services
- Listen to the Land (October 1, 1982 - September 27, 1993)
- Kitchen KabaretKitchen KabaretKitchen Kabaret was a 13-minute audio-animatronic show at EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World Resort, located in The Land pavilion. Kitchen Kabaret was present on EPCOT's opening day, October 1, 1982....
(October 1, 1982 - January 3, 1994) - Food RocksFood RocksFood Rocks was an attraction at Epcot's The Land pavilion presented by Nestlé in the Walt Disney World Resort. It was a musical stage show, with audio-animatronic figures.-Synopsis:...
(1994 - January 3, 2004) - replaced with Soarin' - SymbiosisSymbiosis (film)Symbiosis was a 70 mm film shown from October 1983 to January 1995 in the Harvest Theater at The Land pavilion at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It was directed by Paul Gerber....
(October 1, 1982 - January 1, 1995) - replaced with The Circle of Life: An Environmental FableCircle of Life: An Environmental FableCircle of Life: An Environmental Fable is a 70 mm film shown in the Harvest Theater in The Land Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. It opened on January 21, 1995 replacing Symbiosis...
.
Former dining
- The Good Turn Restaurant (October 1, 1982 - May 1, 1986) - The original name of the present Garden Grill Restaurant.
- The Land Grille Room (May 2, 1986 - November 15, 1993) - The second name given to the present Garden Grill Restaurant.
- Farmer's Market (October 1, 1982 - October 25, 1993) - The name of "The Land's" original food court.
- The Sunshine Season Food Fair (1994–2004) - The second name given to the "The Land's" food court.
- Ice Cream - Nestle Toll House cookies, ice cream, among others.
- Potato Store - A variety of potato dishes.
- Pasta - A variety of pasta dishes.
- Soup/Salad - A variety of soups and salads.
- Barbecue - BBQ chicken and beef.
Former shopping
- The Green Thumb Emporium - A small gift shop, focusing on food and gardening.
Pavilion facts and figures
- Pavilion capacity: 3,600 persons
- Pavilion size: 253,780 square feet (24,000 m²) Roughly the size of FantasylandFantasylandFantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at the many Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Each Fantasyland has a castle as well as several gentle rides themed after Disney movies...
in the Magic KingdomMagic KingdomMagic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
of Walt Disney World. - Pavilion sponsor(s): Kraft Foods Inc. (October 1, 1982 - September 26, 1993), and Nestle (September 27, 1993 - Early 2009)
- There is a VIP room at the top of the Pavilion accessible by pressing the elevator buttons in a certain sequence. The meeting room looks down on parts of the Living with the Land attraction.
External links
- Walt Disney World Resort - The Land Pavilion
- Walt Disney World Resort - Living with the Land
- Walt Disney World Resort - Soarin'
- Walt Disney World Resort - The Garden Grill Restaurant
- Walt Disney World Resort - Behind the Seeds at Epcot
- All Ears Net - The Land
- WDWMAGIC - The Land
- Tissue Culture at Epcot